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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> So thankful!!!
        
(Message started by: NessaKay on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 12:17am)

Title: So thankful!!!
Post by NessaKay on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 12:17am

I have suffered from cluster headaches for years, without knowing what was wrong with me...until now. I am so thankful to know there are treatments available that will eliminate the pain. It is getting to the point where I can't lay down or go to bed until my body is totally exhausted...last night's cluster headache was a DOOZY and kept me up until 7 am.
Is there any diet changes or suppliments that have worked for any of you? -Vanessa

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by Giovanni on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 5:31am

Hi Nessa,

First, have you been diagnosed with cluster headaches by a doctor? If not, get a referral to a neurologist who specializes in “headaches” to confirm this diagnosis and rule out other causes or other types of headaches. Also, take the cluster quiz to your left and print it out for the doc.

If you do have cluster headaches, oxygen to the configuration to your left works on many to abort single headaches. Imitrex stat dose injections will abort a headache with me in about 5 minutes. A “prevention” medication is verapamil in doses of usually greater than 360 mg will diminish the severity and length of many cycles.

Natural remedies will include 5-HTP; melatonin at about 9mg one hour before bedtime; B-complex vitamins; green or black tea; magnesium. The alternative treatment has worked for me.

www.clusterbusters.com

There is one thing about this syndrome, you have to be proactive and continually seek out things that work for you. What appears to be beneficial to one may not work on another.

Good luck to you and keep us advised.

John

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by don on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 6:56am

Quote:

First, have you been diagnosed with cluster headaches by a doctor? If not, get a referral to a neurologist who specializes in “headaches” to confirm this diagnosis and rule out other causes or other types of headaches.

Bingo !

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by floridian on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 8:18am

on 07/22/04 at 00:17:55, NessaKay wrote:

...last night's cluster headache was a DOOZY and kept me up until 7 am.

Maybe I'm reading too much into your words, but if one headache kept you up all night, you probably don't have cluster headaches. A 'typical' headache is 45 minutes; 3 hours would be rather long for a cluster. Of course, clusters do come in groups, but there is almost always well defined break between each short (but extremely intense) headache.

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by K. on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 3:41pm

I've noticed that some with both cluster and migraine can get both at the same time so once the cluster ends then the migraine continues but is a very different "pain" then the cluster headache.
....just a thought....

K.

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by michaeldalton on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 4:46pm

In reference to it keeping you up until 7 am., someone wrote here that clusters are USUALLY 45 minutes in duration & rarely 3 hours. I guess I've gone from episodic to chronic then. I am now in my 11th year & in the last 6 weeks have had at least 10 bastards that have lasted beyond the 2 hour mark. And that is at full strength. You must seek out a neurologist....Stat!!!!!

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by Superpain on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 6:00pm

Everyone is so different...
I get bad hit's that last for 3 hours occasionally when in cycle. I get hit hourly with 5-15 min HARD hits when I'm in the peak of cycle, sometimes more than 20 HA per day. When I came here everyone told me I had CPH... I do not have CPH. That's just the way the ball bounces for me...

The qualifying question for cluster's should simply be "Is it pain that you could never imagine existed, far worse than any other pain you've ever experienced?" If you can honestly answer "Yes!", then you have cluster's, or you're just a wuss and should take the quiz to the left... [smiley=laugh.gif]

Melatonin before bed...
500-1000mg of magnesium per day...
And most of all, my most prized possession... My oxygen tank procurred at the welding shop.

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by Prense on Jul 23^rd, 2004, 5:47pm

on 07/22/04 at 08:18:11, floridian wrote:

A 'typical' headache is 45 minutes

What I wouldn't do for a 45 minute attack...

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by NessaKay on Jul 24^th, 2004, 1:31pm

Hello all and thank you for your feedback...the reason I felt that my headaches qualify as clusters is because I have had them off and on for years, with episodes cropping up in groups and occuring around the same time each day...the pain just slams into my head and there is no warning...it occurs on my right side, with a stabbing pain behind my eyeball...the last headache episode did keep me up until 7 AM, but the pain would ebb and then come raging back...it got worse when I tried to lay down and I just kept pacing back and forth waiting for the pain to pass....the pain was beyond desciption. So, I went to the Dr, who is not a headache specialist...who said it sounds like clusters...but he is not a specialist...anyway, he gave me Imitex stat shots, phengren and vicodin. I would rather prevent rather than treat. Phenegen for headaches? Hmmm...Thanks again for all of your posts folks, and I will keep in touch. ;)

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by Charlie on Jul 24^th, 2004, 2:47pm

Sorry you are having such a hard time.

That these things wake you up certainly sound like clusters. They are exhausting too and screw up sleep patterns.

You do need some more data though. You want to eliminate other possibilities.

Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

Charlie

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by pam s on Jul 25^th, 2004, 2:26am

on 07/24/04 at 13:31:31, NessaKay wrote:

..the last headache episode did keep me up until 7 AM, but the pain would ebb and then come raging back..

When I am in my peak, one CH will segue into the next. It seems like I have them one on top of the other. All the others symptoms sound like cluster. Most painkillers do not touch a CH. Keep reading here and you will get some good ideas about what might work for you as a preventative. Also check out clusterbusters.com.

Hope you get some relief soon,

Pam

Title: Re: So thankful!!!
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 25^th, 2004, 8:40pm

Hi Nessa,

I can only ditto what everyone else has said. Imitrex stat doses are wonderful (for most) in aborting a CHA. But CH sufferers also need something to make the HA's less intense and less frequent, and hopefully shorten a cycle. Generally, narcotics like Vicodin are useless against CH.

That's where meds like Verapamil (preventative) come in. Also, many people find that Prednisone helps alot until the Verap kicks in. You need to see a doc who either specializes in CHA's, or an understanding GP who will listen and is willing to try the ideas you bring him.

There's a wonderful link somewhere on this board (I could kick myself for not bookmarking it) about future_drugs. Look for it and take it to your doc. Ask for a referral. Be proactive!

Hugs and best wishes,

Kris